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Burdekin Cyclone Shelter/Multipurpose Facility opens this weekend

Posted on24th Nov 2014

The Burdekin’s colourful new cyclone shelter will be officially opened this weekend.

Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Bill Lowis said the Minister for Local Government, Community Recovery and Resilience, the Honourable David Crisafulli, would open the multipurpose facility on Saturday morning in front of a crowd of invited guests.

However, Burdekin residents won’t miss out with the RACQ Get Ready Burdekin Community Fun Day being held at the shelter on Sunday from 11am -2pm.

Cr Lowis said RACQ Get Ready Burdekin Community Fun Day was an opportunity for the community to see this fantastic facility.

“This is a chance for our residents to come along and find out more about this great facility and learn how to be prepared for a cyclone,” he said.

“There’ll be free entertainment, free food and refreshments, emergency service displays and a display of what it would be like in the shelter if people had to stay here.”

Cr Lowis said residents would also have the chance to win a generator on the day.

“Our team will be there asking residents to fill out a short survey and once you’ve done that, you’re in the draw for the generator,” he said.

The Mayor also took the opportunity to remind residents to get ready for the cyclone season.

“Now is the time for our residents to prepare for the coming cyclone season,” he said. “Clean up your yards, trim your trees and get your emergency kit together.

“Our region is very resilient – we have been through a lot of events in the past and have recovered well.

“I believe it is our community spirit and preparedness that contributes to our survival.”

Cr Lowis said the new cyclone shelter would only be used for category 4 or 5 cyclones and if the system was going to directly hit the Burdekin.

“This facility is for people who fear their homes are not safe and have no friends or family to go to and for those stranded on our highways,” he said.